Mathematical Model For a Reliable Time Machine Elaborated by Physicists

Two physicists, one from the University of British Columbia, in Canada, and another from the University of Maryland, in the USA, claimed that they came up with a mathematical model for a reliable time machine, for the moment, a box that could move through time and space either in the past or the future.

According to these two physicists, the trick would be to employ the curvature of the space-time continuum in the Universe to curve the time into a sort of a circle that would allow the box, as well as its potential occupants, to travel to the past or the future.

“People think of time travel as something as fiction. And we tend to think it’s not possible because we don’t actually do it. But, mathematically, it is possible,” thinks Ben Tippett from the University of British Columbia.

Collaborating with David Tsang from the University of Maryland, Ben Tippett used the Einstein’s theory of general relativity to elaborate a new mathematical model for a reliable time machine, called Traversable Acausal Retrograde Domain in Space-time (TARDIS).

Physicists say the time machine requires exotic material we have not yet discovered

The concept behind the mathematical model the physicists came up with is that we should start seeing the Universe in four dimensions, simultaneously, with the fourth one being the time, instead of viewing it as a three-dimensional space, as usual. That would permit scientists to use the space-time continuum in which different directions in space and time are all accessible in the curvature of the Universe.

“The time direction of the space-time surface also shows curvature. There is evidence showing the closer to a black hole we get, time moves slower. My model of a time machine uses the curved space-time to bend time into a circle for the passengers, not in a straight line. That circle takes us back in time,” explained Ben Tippett.

But, at least at the moment, the development of such a time machine to function on the newly elaborated mathematical model for time travel is impossible because it would need some material we have not yet discovered.

“While is it mathematically feasible, it is not yet possible to build a space-time machine because we need materials – which we call exotic matter – to bend space-time in these impossible ways, but they have yet to be discovered,” concluded Tippett.

Jasmine holds a Master’s in Journalism from Ryerson University in Toronto and writes professionally in a broad variety of genres. She has worked as a senior manager in public relations and communications for major telecommunication companies, and is the former Deputy Director for Media Relations with the Modern Coalition. Jasmine writes primarily in our LGBTTQQIAAP and Science section.